I did a search and no results came up, so either search is broken or this hasn't been discussed.

I have a 2009 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport. I assume the design of the glove box is similar or the same as the Forester. I was trying to follow the instructions in the owners manual on how to replace the air filter. I got as far as removing the damper from the side of the glove box. But the next instruction says to then remove glove box. Yes, but how?? I could pull on the left and get the plastic tab out, but the right side seems impossible without damaging it.

Use a slight side to side motion and try rotatng the box up or down. No screws and it's not easy? Takes all of about 1 minute...

Tried it again today, maybe the 2009 Impreza has a different design than the 2009 Forester. I tried lifting up, side to side, and down, with no luck. If I force it too much I could permanently damage it, which would cost a heck of a lot more than the filter replacement to fix.

If yours looks like the one in the link than you remove the damper and pull the box up and out in the direction of the arrow in the first pic. The second pic shows the "hinged" portion of the box you are trying to separate. It's just molded plastic.

If yours looks like the one in the link than you remove the damper and pull the box up and out in the direction of the arrow in the first pic. The second pic shows the "hinged" portion of the box you are trying to separate. It's just molded plastic.

Exactly. If I were you I would give it another try. Mine was tough but it poped off with a bit of muscle. I felt like I was gonna break it but it did not. My guess is that the designers did not want it to pop off during an impact, so they made it a real snug fit.

Bought the filter from a dealer for $34... expensive. For the old one, it can be washed and reused. vacuumed it a little it, then soaked in soap water, risned it, and it looked pretty clean. Plan to reusing in the next replacment. :)

during removal, the cheap plastic tabs holding the glove box on broke. have to replace it. hoping to find a glove box from an auto recycling center. surely someone must have crashed or been crashed into in their 2008-2011 Impreza?? Searching online, don't want to pay for new part from dealer, which probably runs in the hundreds of dollars.

Here is how I went about this step by step:
1. Open Glove Box. Remove damper(it is the black shock absorber like thing attached to the right side) by using channel lock pliers, squeezing gently while pushing the clip through the hole.

3. At the bottom of the glove box, there are two clips holding it in. Start with the right side, and while partially holding the box closed, with both hands, pull straight up towards the windshield(if you pull straight out, you will break the clips). It will take plenty of strength the first time you do this, but you will hear the clip give way and pop.

4. Repeat with the left clip.

5. The box is now loose. It doesn't come straight out-it must be gently twisted while removing.

6. To remove the filter, pinch the top and bottom clips holding it in, and pull straight out. It also needs to be manipulated to remove.

7. Make sure you install the new filter right side up. On the front of the filter is an arrow.

8. Now put the glove box in. Then, make sure to get the clips on the box lined up on the bottom glove box frame. Again, if you are not careful, you will break the clips. Start with the left side, and the box again partially closed. Again, with much strength, and using both hands, push the box onto the left side until you hear a snap.

9. Repeat with the right side.

10. Now, replace the damper. Mine was kind of lost in the frame, but was easy to pull out. You can just push this on. No tool needed.

Those hinge fingers on the lid are too tight. You should shave a little off, so that next time you don't risk breaking them. It won't make the box loose. The hinge pin on the dash is D shaped. This will give you an idea of the best angle to pull.

I just gently wash the filter; it doesn't seem to be made of paper, unless it has a plastic coating. Of course little air will flow through until it dries out.